Least favorite HAL food offering...

[ekerr19]

If you were to pick one thing that you never saw on another HAL plate, buffet or menu what would it be?

I think DH & I are both in agreement about this one - and I got this idea from another thread - we both do not like the Dutch appetizer called "bitten ball" that is served in the lounge areas before dinner. I don't know what is in it, some kind of processed meat, but we both think it is awful.

If I never saw that appetizer in any of the bars again, I would be happy.

[cru1s1ng]

The thing I like seeing least is an empty plate - LOL

[dakrewser]

Meatloaf.....

:)

[Esme]

If you were to pick one thing that you never saw on another HAL plate, buffet or menu what would it be?

I think DH & I are both in agreement about this one - and I got this idea from another thread - we both do not like the Dutch appetizer called "bitten ball" that is served in the lounge areas before dinner. I don't know what is in it, some kind of processed meat, but we both think it is awful.

If I never saw that appetizer in any of the bars again, I would be happy.

Completely agree with you. As my grandchildren would say "oh, they're yucky". :p They are a Dutch favourite and I know a lot of people like them, but not me. They are not processed meat......can't remember what they are made of but will try and find out.

[Krazy Kruizers]

MEATLOAF!

On our last back-to-back cruises it was offered in the Lido, in the main dining room as a BBQ sandwich and on the dinner menu as Comfort food - both weeks.

[jhannah]

Add me to the ball list. Not to my taste, either.

[RuthC]

As long as there is something on the menu that I like HAL can keep everything I don't like on the menu for others.

(haven't missed a meal yet.;) )

[cru1s1ng]

I just had to research what this balls were. Bitterballen. I hope they don't make them authentic, this article says they are horsemeat:

http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/food/reviews/restaurant/4512/

This recipe sounds like fried meatballs. Can anything (except horsemeat) that is fried be bad? Recipe:

http://www.recipekitchen.com/Starters/Appetizers/app28.html

[tree25]

umm if any of the items referred to as "comfort food" were to leave the menus I certainly would not lose any sleep.. do people really go on cruises to eat Turkey and Roast Beef for dinner?

The duck liver was the worst thing I tried

[ctguy001]

meatloaf!

[bepsf]

Are "bittenball" the meatballs that are customarily served in the lounges before dinner or is it something else, 'cause I always enjoy the meatball appetizers...

I'm with Dave - No more "meatloaf"!!!

(tho the venison isn't that good either...)

[Esme]

Are "bittenball" the meatballs that are customarily served in the lounges before dinner or is it something else, 'cause I always enjoy the meatball appetizers...

I'm with Dave - No more "meatloaf"!!!

(tho the venison isn't that good either...)


They serve both - meatballs and bittenballs - meatballs often come with a sauce to distinuish them from the bittenball. The meatballs are tasty - the bittenballs taste like mush! :p

Actually the meatloaf we had on the Westerdam was excellent - came with a mushroom gravy. Guess, Chef Kreiger knew the correct way to make meatloaf. :)

[dakrewser]

Are "bittenball" the meatballs that are customarily served in the lounges before dinner or is it something else, 'cause I always enjoy the meatball appetizers...

I'm with Dave - No more "meatloaf"!!!

(tho the venison isn't that good either...)

Yep, that's the culprit - and while I don't search them out, I don't turn them down, either.

The venison we got on the O'dam two weeks ago wasn't half bad. I've had better but the ambience wasn't quite the same (Austin, TX)

[Islandbuoy]

No one one but a dutchman knows for sure what's in these things served in the crows nest --they're not the meatballs, but haave more the consistency of fried dough(sour)!!

[sail7seas]

If I were to never again see their 'Hawaiian Pizza' with cubes of pineapple on top, it would be okay with me. It was not particularly tasty IMO

[LAFFNVEGAS]

This is really hard for me. I saw this thread while at work and could not think of anything that I had actually tried that I did not like. I thought maybe if I looked at the menus from the last cruise something would come to mind. Guess what nothing:confused: Yes, there items on the menu that are probably not good but they are things I would never order and everything I have ordered was likable, delicious or really fantastic. Now I have to admit I have never sseen or tasted the "bittenball" but then we rarely go to the lounges prior to dinner.

Yes, I have had the meatloaf and it was in the likable catagory. It was actually tasty. I think I ordered it the night after we had been at the Pinnacle and after having lots of rich tasting food it was good to have some basic "Comfort" food.:)

[BCEagle78]

Agree with Dave (dakrewser) and ctguy001 with the MEATLOAF reference... What the *%^&% is Meatloaf doing on the menu on a Holland America Cruise????

I like most of the food but meatloaf???

[lipoppop]

I like the meatloaf. Much tastier than the burgers served by the pool.

[dakrewser]

I like the meatloaf. Much tastier than the burgers served by the pool.

And I like the burgers! :)

Chacun a son Gout or, as the French really say, "Chacun a sa chacunerie"

[DavidNDC]

Seal!

(heh heh, okay, I'm kidding. I have been on five cruises and have never had even one thing that I did not like, except for the scrambled eggs at the buffet line.)

[richnorto]

Enough about meatloaf! You're going to give that classic dish a bad name! OK, I grew up eating "Northern" :eek: meatloaf - yuk!!! ugh! (Sorry MOM). Southern meatloaf is good beef with lots of good seasonings (when done correctly) and NO fillers!! Bread does not belong in Meatloaf! Try it! By the way, I've never had meatloaf on a cruise, but from what I hear, I might need to bring my recipes to culinary night.??? All in Fun:D

[Nanner]

The one thing I absolutely could not touch after one bite (and a tablemate agreed) was the cold avocado soup. It was awful.

[ROZO'SBEAU]

The meatloaf they are now serving on the main dining room menus as "Comfort Food" is superb. It is made with veal and beef and comes with a nice sauce (gravy). I know it seems pedestrian, and at first blush seems out of place on an upscale menu, but it really is decent. I tried it after reading comments the last few months on this board and was pleasantly surprised.
If you don't like meatloaf at all, this dish is not for you. If you do like meatloaf (even somewhat), this is about as good as it can get. I put it among the top three I've ever tasted.
Beau

[ExpCruiser]

The pasta dishes (all of them) are the least favorite. The pasta is overcooked and the sauce(s) were awful.

[sail7seas]

We like the bolognese sauce at lunch that they serve at the Pasta Bar. That used to be our favorite 'welcome aboard' lunch in Lido. I rarely eat white pasta any more, so only if whole wheat pasta is available do I now eat it.


I also used to like their putenesca.

[Esme]

I also used to like their putenesca.[/b]


May I ask what is "putenesca"? :confused: Can't find it in the dictionary

[cru1s1ng]

Generally served with pasta, this sauce is a spicy mélange of tomatoes, onions, capers, black olives, anchovies, oregano and garlic, all cooked together in olive oil. A dish on a menu described as alla puttanesca signals that it's served with this sauce. The name puttanesca is a derivation of puttana, which in Italian means "whore." According to one story, the name purportedly comes from the fact that the intense fragrance of this sauce was like a siren's call to the men who visited such "ladies of pleasure."


--Copyright (c) 1995 by Barron's Educational Series, from The New Food Lover's Companion, Second Edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst


Recipe:

http://pasta.allrecipes.com/az/Puttanesca.asp

[vjw1218]

We weren't impressed with HAL's soups. None were particularly flavorful. The deserts were another story altogether! :)

By the way, I like the meatloaf! I do wish HAL would offer a wider variety of "ordinary" vegetables. I don't care for squashes and asparagus as a general rule. Just my opinion.

Oh and to respond to the query about the roast beef... it was more like prime rib!

[Tatka]

I love all kinds of seafood dishes, but I found one dish with rice and seafood had some strange unnatural taste.. like it had to much sodium or something.

I didn't try meatloaf, but then I have never tried it at all so I can't comment.;)

[Esme]

Thanks, cru1s1ng

[bookworm0911]

I will bet that HAL doesn't make it as spicy as it should be when made with the true taste of Neopolitan cooking. Spicy is not exactly HAL's thing, though I am sure it is still good, just not authentic. ;)

[luvs2beachit]

I didn't order the meatloaf or the pot roast but I did taste them both and they were pretty good. It was the pork chops that were horrible. Could have used them in an Islanders hocky game!! I certainly don't understand the "comfort food" thing. If I wanted comfort food I could make it myself. I want to explore and experience new and interesting culinary offerings.

[bookworm0911]

I certainly don't understand the "comfort food" thing. If I wanted comfort food I could make it myself. I want to explore and experience new and interesting culinary offerings.
Exactly! :(

[Tatka]

I didn't order the meatloaf or the pot roast but I did taste them both and they were pretty good. It was the pork chops that were horrible. Could have used them in an Islanders hocky game!!

Haha..GO BRUINS!;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Keep the meatloaf!!! DH loved it!! Something for everyonehttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/redface.gif .

Personally, I did not like the overcooked pasta in the main dining room. However, the pasta in the Lido was superb.

Since I am not really a HAL food fan, I just have to say what I LOVED the most on our recent cruise: the Lobster Tails and the Escargot ........... yumhttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif .

Sorry, Laura ... I know that wasn't the question but you know I always think in the positive whenever possiblehttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[michmike]

my least favorite meal is breakfast the last day of the cruise... means I have to go back to cooking for.. and waiting ON myself.... disgusting!!!

[dakrewser]

Haha..GO BRUINS!


Yeah, I understand they're undeafeated!


<ducking, and running away, very fast>:rolleyes:

[ekerr19]

I love all kinds of seafood dishes, but I found one dish with rice and seafood had some strange unnatural taste.. like it had to much sodium or something.


Was it the Paella? I had that on the Noordam and it was my least favorite dinner choice during the cruise. I thought it had a somewhat odd taste to it...

[ekerr19]

Sorry, Laura ... I know that wasn't the question but you know I always think in the positive whenever possiblehttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

No problem! I love hearing about ALL the food. :) It brings back fond memories and builds anticipation...

[ekerr19]

Completely agree with you. As my grandchildren would say "oh, they're yucky". :p They are a Dutch favourite and I know a lot of people like them, but not me. They are not processed meat......can't remember what they are made of but will try and find out.

I did a little research and the closest I am coming up with is a fish paste. These are the appetizers that are round balls (not the meatballs) that are covered with some type of crumbs, they look like they will be a chicken nugget (but more round) and we originally thought they were some type of mushroom paste, but the bartender said no, they are meat... the fish paste sounds closer than anything else I can come up with.

[K&RCurt]

I would not be the least bit upset if the "mixed herrings" they served on day at lunch at the Lido dissapeared.

We had a discussion regarding the meatloaf at our table the night it was on the menu. Our steward overheard us and brought a serving to try. We each tried some, it was served with a dark mushroom gravy and it was pretty good. One person at our table liked it so much she finished the plate after she was done with the dinner she ordered.

BTW, I liked the taste of the "bitterballs" we had during cocktails but the texture didn't appeal to me. Kind of mushy on the inside.

[cru1s1ng]

EKERR19 -

Paella may be a controversial subject (much like formal night attire, irons and bringing your own alcohol :eek: ) so all I’ll do is provide a link with some history and a recipe:

http://www.batista.org/paella.html

Please remember not to ‘kill the messenger’. :D

[trubey]

Bahmi Goreng is the worst to me. A travesty of an otherwise delightful dish with fresh, crisp exotic flavors. Their Shiu Mai was pretty feeble, too.

lkt

[bepsf]

Haha..GO BRUINS!;)

Tatka--

You're coming to San Francisco!!!
Hooray!!!:)
Are you arriving early for a pre-cruise stay?

[ekerr19]

EKERR19 -

Paella may be a controversial subject (much like formal night attire, irons and bringing your own alcohol :eek: ) so all I’ll do is provide a link with some history and a recipe:

http://www.batista.org/paella.html

Please remember not to ‘kill the messenger’. :D



Don't worry, I won't! I actually love paella, the dish served on the Noordam was just different than any I've tried before. We had Chef Pedro as our Executive Chef and I was very impressed with all the food. I wish I knew which ship Chef Pedro is on now - it could be a factor for future bookings. :D

[cru1s1ng]

I knew the paella question would spice things up. :D

[HeatherInFlorida]

..............I love puttenesca, but didn't realize saying HAL's would be good, but maybe not as spicy as the dish is prepared in Italy is a federal crime here, even when said with a wink and a smile. My mistake.

Pssssst............(it isn't about the Puttenesca) .....;)

[bobpatj]

The sorbet I ordered one night was pretty bad! I had a couple of tastes and left the rest.

[blackbird71]

fish eggs and snails YUK.....

Worst overall was my second cruise on cruise #3 of the Noordam out of Tampa. Best it could be call is Senior Rest Home Bland.:p The Statendam and Veendam were very good.

[zcat]

I agree with blackbird 71. YUCKY is right. Now add bear,venison,lobster,crab legs,uncooked vegies, & bread pudding.

[arzz]

We were introduced to those Dutch meatballs that you all seem to "adore" (Just kidding) about 20 years ago when we had neighbors from Holland who were in the US for a couple of years on business. They wanted to do something nice for us and made us a whole slew of them and froze them for us to "deep fry as we wanted them" -- at first we were very put off by them, but discovered that when hot and crisp from the fry pan and dipped in mustard they were wonderful. I, at first, did not know how to tell my neighbor, Inga, that I had to dip her meatballs in mustard in order to tolerate them -- but as our conversation unfolded I found out that dipped in mustard was the intended way to eat them.

If that is the case, I can never understand why HAL doesn't put a little mustard, or other sauce, on your plate when they are served. They are truly so much better that way.

[Himself]

I would say two things:

1. Meatloaf and 2. Bread Pudding. (I must admit I have never tired Hal's bread pudding but I have known for 60 some years that I do not like BreadPudding ever)

Himself

[papadave]

I get the sense that folks are merely listing the foods that they would never order in a restaurant or prepare at home. I would like to know which foods to avoid because they are improperly prepared when compared to a well made dish. If you don't like herring, you probably don't care whether it is the best herring you've had in your life. If you don't like snails, eating snails on a cruise ship won't make them taste better. Let me know what I should avoid.

[Bfson]

I couldn't disagree more. Often times superb prepration opens doors to foods previously hated. We had home made poi (a dish I'd hated for years) at the restaurant in Honolulu that won the James Beard regional award for Hawaiian cooking (Helena's on School Streent in Honolulu.) I loved it. I still hate the poi we've had in other places. So, far contrary to your view, I'm always willing to try things I normally don't like when made by a different or better source.

[ROZO'SBEAU]

I like 'em. DW does not. With regard to being served with mustard...I agree, that is the correct way. On a recent Rotterdam cruise, the balls were served in the Crow's Nest with those frilly toothpicks spearing them and the toothpicks had been first dipped in mustard. Therefore, when you used the toothpick to put them in your mouth, you got the full taste experience. First time I have experienced that on HAL.
Beau

[Tatka]

Was it the Paella? I had that on the Noordam and it was my least favorite dinner choice during the cruise. I thought it had a somewhat odd taste to it...

I am not sure ...but something tells me it was!:(

Yes ..it had some odd taste.

[Tatka]

Tatka--

You're coming to San Francisco!!!
Hooray!!!:)
Are you arriving early for a pre-cruise stay?

Unfortunately not! :( My son has his playoff hockey game on Saturday! So we have to fly on Sunday.

I think we'll check in on Mercury and use 3-4 hours to see as much as possible. What do you recommend for such a short time?:)

Thank you,

Natasha

[papadave]

I couldn't disagree more. Often times superb prepration opens doors to foods previously hated. We had home made poi (a dish I'd hated for years) at the restaurant in Honolulu that won the James Beard regional award for Hawaiian cooking (Helena's on School Streent in Honolulu.) I loved it. I still hate the poi we've had in other places. So, far contrary to your view, I'm always willing to try things I normally don't like when made by a different or better source.

I think you didn't understand my post. I was pleading with folks to avoid listing those foods that they would never eat whether prepared by a five star chef or by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. That's why I used herring as an example. Some people never like it, no matter how well the food is prepared.

If I read your post right, you completely agree with me. You wouldn't tell people to avoid the Poi on HAL based on previous experiences tasting Poi elsewhere. If this board is just filled with a list of foods that people NEVER enjoy, then the result is utter nonsense. I don't care if someone doesn't like eating liver. I want guidance when choosing among five equally tasty sounding menu items.

[jima53]

scrambled eggs.... heat those babies up a bit and they might be edible.

Jim